If you are wondering how much 3 days in Dubrovnik cost, the answer depends largely on how you plan your stay. Many visitors end up spending €1000 or more for a short stay, often without even noticing where the money goes.
With some local knowledge, two people can spend three days in Dubrovnik in high season for around €500 in total, without missing the main experiences. This includes accommodation, airport transfers, local transport, food and key attractions like the city walls.
In this guide, we show how to approach Dubrovnik differently, with a realistic day-by-day plan from arrival to departure.
For a broader overview of the city, where to stay and how to plan your visit, see our Dubrovnik Travel Guide 2026.
Quick budget breakdown (for two people):
• Private apartment: €200
• Airport transfer: €20
• 3-day Dubrovnik Pass: €100
• Food and drinks: ~€70
• Lokrum island: €60
• Extras: ~€50
Total: ~€500 for two people
How much does a 3 days in Dubrovnik cost for two people in high season?
If two people choose accommodation outside the Old Town, eat at least one meal in a restaurant each day, get around by Uber or taxi, visit the main attractions, most will end up spending around €1000 or more.
Staying in the Old Town adds roughly another 10 percent to that cost.
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This is the Dubrovnik that most visitors never actually see.
Can you spend 3 days in Dubrovnik for €500 in high season?
Yes, with a bit of local knowledge and a few key choices most visitors don’t make.
The biggest difference comes down to accommodation and food. This plan shows where to stay and how to keep food costs under control without sacrificing quality.
It also suggests cooking two meals, with simple, local and tasty recipes that take only about 20 minutes to prepare. If you choose not to cook, expect food costs to be 80 to 100 percent higher.
The most expensive attractions, such as the city walls, are still included, but through smart use of the Dubrovnik Pass.
In other words, you are not saving on what makes Dubrovnik special.
Where to stay in Dubrovnik on a budget
Choose Gruž if you want strong transport and ferry connections with islands and surrounding cities, Lapad or Babin Kuk if you prefer to stay closer to the beaches.
All of these areas are well connected to the Old Town by bus and taxi, while accommodation prices are typically around 30 percent lower than in the historic centre.
Aim for the first half of July, but book at least two to three months in advance. This way, you can easily find a nice private apartment for €85 to €100 per night.
If you want to spend even less, rooms in private homes can be up to 20 percent cheaper than apartments, without sacrificing comfort.
Day 1: Arrival, Old Town and your first walk through Dubrovnik
If you’re arriving at the airport, skip taxis and private transfers. Take the shuttle bus instead. It costs €10 per person, runs frequently and takes larger luggage.
Buy the three-day Dubrovnik Pass online in advance for €50 per person and activate it for city buses. After check-in, head straight to the Old Town and take a walk. The same pass also includes the city walls, Fort Lovrijenac, several museums and additional discounts.
When you get hungry, find Preša, a small spot in a side street just off Stradun, and try one of their well-known sandwiches, burgers or tortillas for around €8 to €10 per person. If you prefer seafood, the family-run Barba serves excellent seafood dishes in the same price range.
After that, head to the beach. Banje is the closest to the Old Town, but it can be crowded and noisy. A more relaxed option is Boninovo or Bellevue, both just a couple of bus stops away.
On your way back, stop at a larger supermarket and pick up a few basic ingredients.
Dinner takes about 20 minutes to prepare. A simple meal like pasta with meat and a salad is enough after a long day, filling but not heavy. Basic groceries for this dinner come to around €10 in total.
Here’s the full grocery list for this itinerary and a recipe for Dalmatian-style pasta with meat:
Two simple dinners and one extra meal
- Penne rigate (1 kg): €1.8
- Ground beef: €6
- Onion (2 pcs): €0.40
- Oil (1 L): €1.60
- Chicken (500 g): €5
- Cooking cream: €1.50
- Parmesan: €1.30
- Tomatoes (4 pcs): €1.50
- Lettuce: €1
- Wine: €5
Sandwiches for the beach or a day trip
- Bread: €1
- Salami (200 g): €2
- Cheese (200 g): €2
- Plastic wrap: €1
- 1 onion
- 500 g ground beef
- 500 g penne rigate
- Salad: 2 tomatoes, ½ lettuce
Slice the onion thinly. Heat oil in a pan and cook the onion until soft and slightly translucent. Add the minced meat and stir. Once the meat releases some liquid, let it simmer on low heat.
At the same time, place the pasta in a pot of cold water, add a bit of salt and bring it to a boil. Once the water starts boiling, cook the pasta for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Wash and cut the lettuce, slice the tomatoes and season with oil and salt.
After about 15 minutes, season the meat with salt and pepper and cook for another 5 minutes on higher heat. Drain the pasta once it’s done.
In Dalmatia, pasta is usually served first, with the sauce placed on top rather than mixed in.
This recipe makes more than enough for two people. If you have leftovers, mix everything together and keep it in the fridge. When you have it again, reheat it in a pan with a bit of water so it doesn’t stick.
Day 1 total: €250
Day 2: City walls and a swim
Start early. Prepare a few simple sandwiches to take with you, then take a short walk around your neighbourhood.
Every part of Dubrovnik has good bakeries, so for breakfast try something local like burek, doughnuts or other sweet and savoury pastries. The price per person is around €2 to €3 for most items. Sit down for a coffee by the sea before heading out.
Take the bus to the Old Town. The Dubrovnik Pass includes entry to the city walls, which take about an hour and a half to walk. If you still have the energy, you can also visit Fort Lovrijenac, which is included in the same pass.
Bring water with you. In the summer heat, this walk can be demanding and it’s easy to get dehydrated.
After a long morning of walking, the sea is the best break.
If you want to round off this day perfectly, go to Sveti Jakov beach, one of the most scenic spots near Old town. From Pile, take bus number 8 and get off at the fourth stop, followed by a 10-minute walk and a descent down the steps. It takes a bit of effort, but it’s worth it.
If you prefer something easier, take bus number 6 from Pile to Babin Kuk. There are several beaches close to the final stop, all easy to reach.
Back at your accommodation, dinner takes about 20 minutes to prepare. Eat slowly, open a bottle of wine and relax.
Basic groceries for this dinner and one extra meal come to around €10 in total.
Here are two simple budget meals locals make when they want a quick, proper meal:
- 1 onion
- 500 g penne rigate
- 500 g chicken
- 200 ml cooking cream
Cook the pasta in salted water. Cut the chicken into small cubes and slice the onion. Heat oil in a pan and cook the onion until soft. Add the chicken and cook until lightly browned on all sides.
Reduce the heat and let it cook for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces. Once the chicken is fully cooked, add the cooking cream, stir and cook for another 5 minutes.
Drain the pasta and serve with the chicken sauce on top. Finish with grated Parmesan.
Simple chicken salad (next-day option)
You can easily turn part of this meal into a simple breakfast for the next day. Set aside some of the cooked chicken and let it cool.
Finely chop the remaining lettuce from the previous day and dice two tomatoes. Mix everything together, season to taste and store in the fridge for the next day.
Day 2 total: €130
Day 3: Departure and one last stop
Check-out in most accommodation is between 11 and 12. If you’re staying until the afternoon or evening and plan to spend the day out, it’s best to take your luggage with you and leave it at a storage facility.
Where you choose depends on your next destination, but if you’re continuing by ferry or bus to other parts of Croatia, the most practical option is a storage place near the main bus station. Expect to pay around €5 per bag for the day.
Start the morning with a simple breakfast from a bakery.
What you do next depends on your departure time. Here are the two most common options.
Leaving by 12:00–13:00: Head to the beach
Leave your luggage at the accommodation. You still have access to buses with your Dubrovnik Pass, so you can head to the beach for a relaxed morning swim and some sun.
Pick up your luggage before leaving and stop for a coffee somewhere close to your onward transport.
Leaving after 14:00: Visit Lokrum
In this case, it’s better to use luggage storage. After breakfast, drop off your bags and take the bus to the Old Town.
The boat to Lokrum and the entrance fee are not included in the Dubrovnik Pass, but tickets can be bought in the Old Port for €30 per person. The ride takes about 10 minutes and boats run every 30 minutes starting from 9:00.
It’s easy to spend hours there walking through the botanical garden admiring the peacocks, swimming and simply relaxing, so keep an eye on the time.
There are very limited food options on the island, so bring sandwiches or something small to eat, and make sure you have enough water.
Day 3 total: €10 (beach) or €76 (Lokrum)
Total cost for 3 days in Dubrovnik (for two people)
These are the actual costs behind this itinerary, based on the choices explained above. This is what three days in Dubrovnik for two people can realistically cost in high season when you know where to spend and where not to.
Airport shuttle bus: €20
Accommodation (2 nights): €200
3-day Dubrovnik Pass (includes buses, city walls, Lovrijenac, museums): €100
Food: €62
Coffee: €8
Luggage storage: €10
Lokrum boat: €60
Souvenirs and small everyday extras: €40
Total: ~€500 for two people in high season
You can travel to Dubrovnik for even less than this if you want to. This plan includes mid-range accommodation, major attractions and some room for extras, without strict budgeting. It simply avoids the biggest, often unnoticed costs that most visitors end up paying.
For a detailed breakdown of prices, see our guide: Is Dubrovnik expensive in 2026?
Common questions about visiting Dubrovnik on a budget
Is Dubrovnik worth it if you’re on a budget?
Yes. Even on a limited budget, you can still experience what makes Dubrovnik special, from the Old Town to the city walls and the coastline. The key is knowing where to spend and where not to.
Where is the cheapest area to stay in Dubrovnik?
Gruž, Lapad and Babin Kuk are usually the best value. They are well connected to the Old Town but significantly cheaper.
Do you need a car in Dubrovnik?
No. In most cases, a car and parking will only increase your costs. Public buses and walking cover almost everything you need. If you’re wondering whether you need a car at all in Croatia, see what actually works in our guide Travelling without a car in Croatia.
How much should you budget per day in Dubrovnik in high season?
For a realistic experience in high season, budget around €150–€200 per day for two people. With careful planning, it can be lower.
How to save money in Dubrovnik on everyday costs?
Most money in Dubrovnik is lost on small, repeated expenses. Bottled water, coffee on Stradun and paying for single bus rides can easily add €20–30 per day without you noticing. Use public fountains instead of buying water, have coffee just outside the Old Town and rely on the Dubrovnik Pass or multi-day tickets for transport.
